TV: ESPN 3

The Massachusetts Minutemen will travel to Scheumann Stadium to take on the Ball State Cardinals this Saturday afternoon in College Football action.

The Massachusetts Minutemen were able to take a 28-10 lead into halftime but was outscored by the 19th ranked Toledo Rockets by a 41-7 margin in the 2nd half and lost 51-35 dropping the Minutemen to a 1-6 (0-3 MAC East) season record. Massachusetts was able to force Toledo into committing 3 turnovers but was outgained by Toledo by a 620-388 margin. Leading the way for the Minutemen was Tajae Sharpe who had 159 yards and 2 TD’s on 12 receptions in the loss. On the season, Massachusetts is averaging 24.4 ppg on 420.1 yards per game (315.0 passing, 105.1 rushing). Leading the way for Massachusetts has been WR Tajae Sharpe who has NCAA leading 77 receptions for 897 yards and 4 TD. QB Blake Frohnapfel has been solid for the Minutemen as Frohnapfel is completing 57.9% of his passes for 2034 yards (290.6 yards/game), 14 TD, and 6 INT. The rushing attack for the Minutemen has been led by Marquis Young (48 carries, 371 yards, 2 TD) and Jamal Wilson (38 carries, 143 yards, 3 TD). Besides Sharpe, Massachusetts has been getting solid production from TE Rodney Mills (17 receptions, 316 yards, 3 TD) and WR Marken Michel (29 receptions, 352 yards, 4 TD). Defensively, Massachusetts is allowing their opponents to average 39.6 ppg on 508.1 yards per game (272.4 passing, 235.7 rushing). The Minutemen currently have a turnover margin of minus 3 and have been led defensively by LB Jovan Santos-Knox (79 tackles, 2.5 sacks ) and DB Joe Colton (59 tackles, 2 INT).

USA TODAY Sports

The Ball State Cardinals lost a tight 23-21 contest to the Central Michigan Chippewas this past Saturday which dropped Ball State to a 2-6 record (1-3 MAC West) on the season. Ball State was outgained by Central Michigan by a 434-299 margin and had trouble containing QB Cooper Rush of the Chippewas who finished the game completing 30 of 38 passes for 316 yards and 2 TD. Leading the way for the Cardinals was WR Corey Lacanaria who finished the game with 10 receptions for 72 yards and a TD. On the season, Ball State is averaging 26.1 ppg on 399.4 yards per game (233.1 passing, 166.3 rushing). Leading the way for the Cardinal offense has been RB duo of Darian Green (102 carries, 559 yards, 4 TD) and James Gilbert (91 carries, 394 yards, 7 TD). QB Riley Neal done a nice job for the Cardinals as he has completed 60.0% of his passes for 1522 yards, 11 TD, and 2 INT. Leading the way for the Cardinals WR’s has been Jordan Williams (52 receptions, 693 yards, 5 TD), KeVonn Mabon (43 receptions, 386 yards, TD), and Corey Lacanaria (39 receptions, 319 yards, 2 TD). Defensively, Ball State is allowing their opponents to average 33.8 ppg on 484.3 yards per game (298.0 passing, 186.3 rushing). Ball State has only committed 8 turnovers on the season and has a turnover margin of plus 6 on the season. Leading the way for the defense has been LB Sean Wiggins (60 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 INT).

The Minutemen are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a S.U. loss and are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 conference games. The Cardinals are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games following an ATS win and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 home games.

Both of these teams can give up a lot of points but I’m going to lean towards taking Ball State as they’ve been competitive at home (23-21 loss vs. CMU, 24-10 loss vs. Toledo) . Massachusetts is allowing 57.3 ppg on the road this season and although they have a one of the best QB-WR combinations between Frohnapfel and Sharpe, I see Ball State scoring at will against the Minutemen defense and covering this spread in which should be a high-scoring affair.

Ball State Cardinals -3.5

Comments (0)

Activities offered by advertising links to other sites may be deemed an illegal activity in certain jurisdictions. Viewers are specifically warned that they should inquire into the legality of participating in any games and/or activities offered by such other sites. The owner of this website assumes no responsibility for the actions by and makes no representation or endorsement of any of these games and/or activities offered by the advertiser. As a condition of viewing this website viewers agree to hold the owner of this website harmless from any claims arising from the viewer’s participation in any of the games and/or activities offered by the advertiser.
About Us | Advertise with us | Copyright & Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Join our team